One of the sectors greatly affected by the extreme heat being experienced in the country is agriculture. Farms are drying up all over the country and farmers are struggling to sustain their livelihood.
Recognizing this pressing issue, Visayan Electric, through Kaibigan Batch 8, and in collaboration with VECO Employees Multipurpose Cooperative (VEMCO), initiated the Amuma Para sa Mag-uuma Project. This initiative is aimed at alleviating the adverse impact of the ongoing dry spell by providing assistance to farmers and their families.
Just in time for International Earth Day, volunteers from Visayan Electric, went to the mountains of Busay last April 20, and donated water barrels, hoses, and sacks of rice to the Busay Roosevelt Farmers' Association, a 100-member strong organization of farmers that manage a two-hectare flower farm.
Association president, Raymundo Almacin Jr., expressed his gratitude to Visayan Electric and the volunteers for responding to their call for help amidst the crisis brought by the extreme weather condition.
“Tungod sa kainit, ang mga tanom, nangamatay na, ang uban (nga mga mag-uuma) wala na nagpadayon sa pag-uma kay wala na’y ika bubo nga tubig,” he explained. “Mao nang dako kaayo namong pagpasalamat sa (inyong gihatag) nga mga hose, ug water barrel nga gipakapinan pagyud ug bugas,” he said.
Furthermore, Kaibigan Batch 8 member Jumarie Pelias, one of the volunteers, said that providing assistance when others need it the most is an opportunity she is thankful for.
“Happy ko nga in some ways naka tabang ta sa mga farmers, timely kaayo atoang nahatag sa ilaha tungod sa panahon karon. Then sa ilaha reactions nga grateful sila, maka proud,” she said.
Visayan Electric, the second largest electric utility in the country, is committed to helping the different communities within its franchise area through corporate social responsibility projects and activities. The utility also encourages volunteerism among its employees by empowering internal groups and organizations, such as the Kaibigan batches, to reach out to the community and provide meaningful assistance during trying times.